Rovers travelled to the Highlands fresh from a midweek 1-0 win at struggling Arbroath, which left them just five points away from their hosts at kick-off.
Rovers’ manager Ian Murray made just one change to his starting 11, with Kyle Connell replacing the injured John Frederiksen.
Raith began with a real sense of purpose, forcing a couple of early corners before Billy Mckay earned one at the opposite end.
Sam Stanton opened the scoring when he prodded the ball home from close range after Dylan Easton hit the post and the midfielder reacted quickest to beat the keeper. This was Stanton’s fourth goal in six outings.
Rovers celebrate Sam Stanton's goal
Rovers tails were up and Easton came close a few minutes later, but Ridgers in the Caley goal was equal to the task.
Caley were soon asking questions though and Shaw fired a swerving shot over the top after half an hour.
With half-time approaching, Inverness drew level when, Deas swooped to head home a Delaney cross from 10 yards.
Five minutes into the second half, a fine diving save from Ridgers prevented Kieran Ngwenya from regaining the lead.
In the closing stages, Inverness centre-half Deas, who was by far Caley’s best player on the day, was replaced after receiving treatment on the park following a tackle by Scott Brown.
As full time approached, Rovers had an excellent chance to take all three points but a block from Strachan prevented Stanton from snatching a last-gasp winner.
Photos
Highlights
Interviews
Ian Murray spoke to RaithTV after the draw against Inverness CT FC:
Live Updates
0'
Welcome to todays Cinch Championship game- Inverness Caledonian Thistle v Raith Rovers. Starts for Connell today. It's very foggy here but no wind
0'
Fog is lifting and visibility is good 😄
0'
Game is underway. Raith shooting towards their own fans this half
1'
Great ball from Stanton to Connell he passes to Easton who should have had a pop but he hesitates passes back to Connell and ball intercepted
1'
First corner to Raith
2'
Easton takes it ball falls to back post Ngwenya gets it into the mix but Raith can't capitalise… Ridgers eventually slaps the ball out for another Rovers corner but nothing comes of it
5'
O'Riordan does well to stop McKay. Corner ICT
7'
Connell gets the ball to Connolly who could go for a run on goal but he's offside
9'
Defence holding well as ICT push
10'
GGGOOOOAAALLLL
12'
It's STANTON's Fourth goal of the season
15'
Stanton tries to keep the ball from going over the byline, he does so but ball out for a throw in
18'
O'Riordan does well to stave off Oakley
18'
Easton has the ball, again he just needs to hit it, he passes to Connell who's effort is saved by Ridgers
19'
Millen with a lovely ball to Easton, this time he has a pop forcing Ridgers to palm save at the corner post
21'
Easton gets the ball into just outside the D but no one there to pick it up and threaten the ICT goal
22'
Easton has a firing shot but Deas bravely heads clear
24'
ICT corner
24'
Nothing comes of it and Raith clear the danger
25'
ICT have a shot that is just wide but the linesman has flagged offside anyway
26'
Stanton wins Raith a corner
27'
Connolly's corner goes way over to the far side of the ICT box but ref blows for a foul
28'
Shaw has an effort for ICT but it's over the bar… goal kick
30'
Great ball to Ngwenya who passes to Easton who passes to Stanton but he's challenged
32'
Raith defence do well to keep Boyd away from the danger area
34'
Freekick Raith after a foul by Ram on Connell
35'
Easton has low shot but it doesn't trouble Ridgers and he gathers with ease
37'
Goal ICT … Deas
38'
Stanton wants an early reply but his effort is saved by Ridgers
39'
Corner Raith
39'
From the corner Easton gets the ball into the box but ICT clear
40'
Corner Raith but Spencer is down…..now receiving treatment
44'
Freekick Raith after a foul on Easton
45'
Bang on 45min ref blows for. Half time.. Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 (Deas 37') Raith Rovers 1 ( Stanton 4'). Personally Raith have been the stronger side this first half
45'
Raith get the second half underway. Raith shooting towards the away fans
46'
Brown with a long ball up to Connell but it's too heavy and Ridgers gets to it
48'
Brown is challenged by Shaw who turns and runs straight for the Raith goal. His shot is weak and MacDonald gathers
49'
Ooft… great run by Ngwenya… he goes in has a pop and his effort is poked over the bar by Ridgers.
50'
Raith corner bounces through the box but Ngwenya can't get it under control and ICT pick up the loose ball
51'
Fantastic challenge by Liam Dick on Oakley as ICT threaten
55'
Freekick Raith after Harper fouls Connell
57'
Freekick ICT approx 35 yards out
58'
From the freekick the ball is floated in but MacDonald gethers
58'
Ngwenya does well to get a foot to the ball to put ICT off balance
59'
Easton wins Raith a corner
60'
From the corner Easton to Stanton who passes it back his effort has taken a deflection and Raith corner
61'
Liam Dick does well to get up and head the ball away before Oakley gets his head to the ball in the Raith box
62'
From an ICT free kick Spencer heads the ball clear out of the Raith box
64'
Freekick Raith deep in ICT half
65'
Connolly's freekick goes too far and comes to nothing
67'
↔️
ICT sub off Boyd and bring on Doran
71'
Easton with a great ball to Connell but Ridgers gets there just before him
71'
Shaw has a pop but his effort is well wide and doesn't trouble MacDonald
72'
Freekick Raith after a foul on Connolly in the centre circle
75'
↔️
ICT sub off Hyde and bring on Welsh
75'
O'Riordan does well to get the ball away from the Raith box as Doran is on his heals
76'
↔️
Raith sub off Connolly and bring on Matthews
77'
Booking for Carson after a foul on Stanton
77'
Easton to take approx 20 yards out
78'
Oh dear, it went well wide
80'
Today's attendance is 2225
80'
A good Raith support in attendance
80'
Raith corner
81'
The ball from the corner goes to the front post and Ridgers collects
83'
Freekick ICT after a foul on Delaney on the touch line
Ref blows for full time Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1 (Deas37') Raith 1 (Stanton 4'). Raith take home a point…. That elusive win has to wait another day
